Although it was a dead rubber, with India having already pocketed the three-match ODI series, there were a couple of objectives which the women's team needed to achieve in the third match against England. There were two vital points that Mithali Raj & Co would have aimed to fight for which would have significantly boosted their chances to stay in the Top Four to directly qualify for the World Cup.

The other aspect was to break the jinx of losing the final ODI of a series. Both goals remained unfulfilled as yesterday's two-wicket loss to England at Wankhede Stadium was the third time India have suffered a defeat in the final match of a ODI series. The trend of losing the final game started with the South Africa tour last year. It continued against Sri Lanka last September and on to the New Zealand tour as well last month.